This could be a look-ahead spot for the top-ranked Volunteers before they face Kentucky in a national showcase game Saturday. Gritty South Carolina is a tough in-between opponent. The Gamecocks are steadily improving and are coming off a comeback win from a double-digit deficit against Arkansas. They have zero quality non-conference wins. so SEC play is all they have to build their resume on. An outright upset here is unlikely -- but South Carolina showing its usual resilience and tenacity should be expected.

Gotta thank the public for this pick. Bettors have hammered the total down from 155. Did they overlook the fact that these teams collaborated for 162 points barely two weeks ago? Tennessee is lethal at home, with a scoring average of 85.4. South Carolina, historically strong on defense, has lost its touch with an allowance of 75.5 this season. Except scoring galore in this game.